belbassiouni wrote:
Can some one update us on what we need as First aid kit and from where to get it with reasonable price?
Guys, this one is definitely for me to reply. As i have been working on construction sites and we are quite used to small incident. Here is the typical list of a big professional first aid kit...
Typical contents
Adhesive bandages are one of the most commonly used items in a first aid kit.
1: Dressings (sterile, applied directly to wound)
Pads
Sterile eye pads
Sterile gauze pads
Sterile non-adherent pads
Burn dressing (sterile pad soaked in a cooling gel)
Bandages
Gauze roller bandages - absorbent, breathable, and often elastic
Elastic bandages - used for sprains, and pressure bandages
Adhesive, elastic roller bandages - very effective pressure bandages or durable, waterproof bandaging
Triangular bandages - used as slings, tourniquets, to tie splints, and many other uses
Adhesive bandages (band-aids, sticking plasters)
Straight adhesive bandages
Butterfly (knuckle) bandages
Disposable gloves are often found in modern first-aid kits.
2: Instruments
Adhesive tape, hypoallergenic
Trauma shears, for cutting clothing and general use
Tweezers
Plastic TwezersLighter, for sterilizing tweezers or pliers etc
Irrigation syringe, for cleaning wounds
Rubber suction bulb, for clearing the airway of an unconscious patient
3: Equipment
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Gloves, disposable non-latex
CPR mask or other breathing barrier such as a face shield
Eye cup or small plastic cup
Torch (also known as a flashlight)
Instant-acting chemical cold packs
Sterile eye wash (commonly saline)
Sterile saline (used for cleaning wounds where clean tap water is not available)
Swabs, sterile non-woven
Space blanket (lightweight plastic foil blanket, also known as "emergency blanket")
Alcohol rub (hand sanitizer) or antiseptic hand wipes
Thermometer
Penlight
4: Medication
Antiseptics/antimicrobial
Povidone iodine wipes
Benzalkonium Chloride
Alcohol pads - used to prep unbroken skin for injections etc. or to disinfect equipment such as thermometers.
Antibiotic ointment - single, double, or triple antibiotic ointment in petroleum jelly base *Antiseptic/anesthetic ointment or spray
Anti-itch ointment
Hydrocortisone cream
Antihistamine cream, such as benadryl
Calamine lotion
Painkillers / fever reducers
Acetaminophen
Ibuprofen - anti-inflammatory, often more effective that acetaminophen.
Aspirin
Antihistamine
diphenhydramine (brand name Benadryl)
Aloe vera gel - used for a wide variety of skin problems, including burns, sunburns, itching, and dry skin
Burn gel - a water-based gel that acts as a cooling agent and often includes a mild anesthetic such as lidocaine and, sometimes, an antiseptic such as tea tree oil
Epinephrine auto-injector (brand name Epipen) - often included in kits for wilderness use and in places such as summer camps, to treat anaphylactic shock.
Poison treatments
Activated charcoal
Syrup of ipecac
QuikClot is a hemostatic agent sometimes included in first aid kits, especially military kits, to control severe bleeding.
End Of list.
More pratically, here is what we have to deal for our small trips, and therefore a smaller
mandatory first aid kit:
1: Cuts --> you need antiseptic + bandages + Straps. Take a lot of sterile gazes, you need it for everythings!
2: Burns --> gel (biafine or equivalent)
3: Sun burn!!! put solar cream in your first aid kit!!!
4: headaches --> aspirin or paracetamol is a must
5: dust and sand in eyes --> any commone saline
6: Twist, Muscular shocks... --> cold pack (very good!) + gel with arnica
7: space cover (used for everything too)
8: a small Swiss knife (you will always look for something to cut!!!)including a tweezer
These items are A MUST HAVE!! and they must be easy to reach in your car (like your fire extinguishers and your jack). You can find everything in Carrefour or in a pharmacy.
Last advices (but not the least),
check the date on your medications! they need to be replaced often...
you can put some batteries in your kit (always usefull!)
Everytime you use something, you have to replace it immediately.
A first aid kit is for everybody. But it's better if everybody has one.
Remember, you cannot reach Zero Accident/incident (even if you must try to come closer and minimize them). What matter is to get ready to face problems. Especially with Children...
You can also get in touch with the main hospitals if you want to have a First Aid training (very useful).
Hope you have found this usefull. Don't hesitate to contact me or to ask for my first aid during a trip.
, it must be the hard way
